AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester

Overview

This is a unique three day event that brings together Engineers to address key issues within the current nuclear market. You will be provided with the opportunity to create your own event journey through multiple streams.

With the majority of the UK’s existing plants due to close by 2030, we are entering a new nuclear era. Globally, the opportunities for industry are increasing, with around £930bn to be spent building new reactors and £50bn a year spent on decommissioning nuclear by 2020.

Gain insight into the UK and Europe’s role at Nuclear Operations and DECOM Summit 2015.

• Gain insight into the decommissioning successes and challenges at Sellafield Ltd
• Recognise the scope of the challenge and transition of the site
• Understand where help is needed in the next stages of developments

• The challenges of an unexpected NDT result on a boiler spine
• The successful rapid development and deployment of bespoke remote inspection equipment
• The development and implementation of a recovery strategy
• Safely delivering the above within the context of a commercial business

11:20

DELIVERING SUCCESSFUL PLUTONIUM DISPOSITION USING POWER REACTOR INNOVATIVE SMALL MODULE (PRISM)David Powell, Vice President- Europe, GE Hitachi
• How re-use of the plutonium stockpile is an important strategic decision and critical solution for the UK
• Revisit PRISM now that it has been declared a credible option and is being assessed alongside other options
• Discover how PRISM can be used in successful programme implementation

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMME IN DECOMMISSIONING, IMMOBILISATION AND STORAGE SOLUTIONS FOR NUCLEAR WASTE INVENTORIES (DISTINCTIVE)Michael Fairweather, Professor in School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Leeds
• Background and make-up of the consortium
• Understand the technical themes and crosscutting activities

ROBOTICS FOR NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONINGSimon Watson, Lecturer in Robotics Systems, University of Manchester
• Explore the challenges in characterisation and retrievals of waste in legacy nuclear storage facilities
• Gain insight into the technical research areas being investigated at the University of Manchester
• Hear case studies of ongoing projects between the University of Manchester and Sellafield Ltd, the NNL and the NDA

16:00

HOW TO SAVE £BILLIONS IN NUCLEAR THROUGH ROBOTICSDavid Hopper, Principal Consultant and Director, Advanced Robotic Technology
• Understand how Nuclear compares with other sectors where robotics today is ‘coming of age’ and development is accelerating due to convergence, open source software and investment
• Learn how this can be leveraged in nuclear with a more targeted application of RAS (Robotics and Autonomous Systems)
• Gain insight into the strategy is to save the UK £billions on decommissioning costs alone

16:30

SMALL MODULAR REACTORS – WHY NOW AND WHY IN THE UK? UK BENEFITS ENHANCED IF A SITE IS IDENTIFIED!John Earp, Independent Consultant, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Define SMR’s, review their key features and the main types available
• Consider SMR benefits and why international interest has been heightened over recent years
• Identify potential models which could be deployed in the UK and show that possible sites exist for such deployment
• Conclude that deploying an SMR on a UK site has real potential benefit for the UK Engineering Sector.

STREAM 2: LIFE EXTENSION AND ASSET MANAGEMENT

10:50

LONG TERM OPERATION (LTO), AGEING MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEM HEALTH ASSESSMENTSChristian Lundqvist, Project Manager, Ringhals AB Vattenfall
• How to set up a maintenance plan with a multidisciplinary approach
• Strategies for focusing on system health and reducing unexpected stoppage
• Developments in Nuclear Power Plants to achieve updates

11:20

WINDSCALE LABORATORY: PROCESSING OF PILE FUEL STORAGE POND FUEL WHILST REFURBISHING FACILITYNick Hanigan, Waste Management and Decommissioning Director, National Nuclear Laboratory
• How to develop an optimum multi-action plan for upgrading and cleaning during operation
• Insight into the latest innovations and technologies explored by NNL
• Explore the impact that pond testing at Sellafield Ltd had from the latest results

11:50

PANEL DISCUSSIONS: HOW TO PLAN FOR THE UNKNOWN
• Discover how to gain confidence in processes across the whole project lifecycle
• The latest strategies for embedding a life-time of work into an organisation
• Understand and learn from the different strategies implemented

12:30 NETWORKING LUNCH?

13:30

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ROYAL NAVY: SUBMARINE ENTERPRISE MANAGES LIFE EXTENSION AND ASSET MANAGEMENTMr John Hanlon, HM Naval Base CLYDE plus Industry partners, Ministry of Defence
• Insight from the Submarine Enterprise Infrastructure Forum (SEIF)
• Enabling the nuclear submarine industry to deliver vital capabilities
• How to transform operations to carry out work to the best financial value

14:00

ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS (RAS) WITHIN OPERATIONSDavid Hopper, Principal Consultant and Director, Advanced Robotics Technology and Associate
• Applying remote handling to operations including inspection, repair and lifetime extension
• Lessons learned from legacy remote handling equipment for inspections
• Understand what is currently in use at different stations and what could be achieved in the future

14:30 QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION

15:00 NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK

15:30

PANEL DISCUSSION: EXTENDING THE LIFE OF ANY ASSET AND THE CHALLENGES INVOLVED
• Discover the careful planning and decision making process that has been applied by industry experts
• How do experts ensure that productivity is not reduced during new process implementation
• Explore strategies for avoiding increased maintenance costs, reliability issues and health and safety risks

16:00

THROUGH LIFE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
• How to continue with normal generating systems whilst preparing for decommissioning
• Understanding the structure integrity assessment for a confident end of life
• Developing a 9 year life time extension plan that is secure and robust

Day 2

09:00 - Conference Day Two

09:00

REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS

09:45

CHAIR'S OPENING ADDRESS

10:00

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT REGULATION OF DECOMMISSIONING WITHIN THE UKMina Golshan, Superintending Inspector Decommissioning, Fuel and Waste Programme, Office for Nuclear Regulation
• Understand the current regulation of decommissioning of Nuclear Sites
• Gain the ONR perspective as to how Decommissioning can be achieve efficiently
• Insight into the lesson learnt from a regulatory perspective

STREAM 1: DECOM - TECHNICAL AND STRATEGIC

10:50

A WASTE MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE AND A DECOMMISSIONING STRATEGYMartin Walkingshaw, Head of Waste Management Services and Director, LLW Repository Ltd
• Why do waste routes matter?
• What options are available to decommissioning projects?
• Waste Logistics – the importance of correctly packing and transporting waste

11:20

PROGRESS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A UK GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL FACILITYAlun Ellis, Science and Technology Director, Radioactive Waste Management Limited
• Explore the role of Radioactive Waste Management Limited
• Hear the latest updates regarding the progress with geological disposal
• Gain insight into the developments of waste management solutions throughout the UK

11:50

PANEL DISCUSSIONS: DEVELOPING AND INTEGRATED APPROACH TO WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Addressing the current industry issues around geological and boundary disposal
• What lessons have been learnt and how they impacted current industry standards
• Hear the latest research, development and demonstrations of improved or advanced technologies to close the nuclear fuel cycle

12:30 NETWORKING LUNCH

13:30

WASTE MANAGEMENT: BENEFITS TO DECOMMISSIONING AT DOUNREAYAlex Anderson, Deputy Director, Waste and Fuels, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd
• A high level overview of the Waste Management Process, including characterisation and the application of the waste hierarchy at Dounreay
• Only product of decommissioning is waste - how do we make sure it’s a quality product
• Recycle and Reuse - saving time and money or a drain on Decommissioning resources?

THE REGULATION OF THE DECOMMISSIONING OF UK NUCLEAR SITESA Representative, Office for Nuclear Regulation
• Explore the current regulation of the decommissioning of UK Nuclear Sites
• Understand key factors in effective regulation of nuclear decommissioning
• Analyse lessons learned from a UK regulatory perspective

15:00 NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK

15:30

PREPARATION FOR DECOMMISSIONING: THE NEW NEA/OECD TASK FORCEGerard Laurent, Decommissioning Expert, EDF
• Understanding the regulatory frame work and characterisations of waste
• Explore progressive shut down of systems and new systems needed for dismantling period
• Progressive shut down of systems and new systems needed for dismantling period

16:00

INVESTING THE UK’S LEGACY WASTE INVENTORY
• Immobilisation and storage solutions for Nuclear Waste Inventories
• Research and development to find solutions for some of the complex challenges faced by sites
• Understanding the clean-up of the UK’s legacy nuclear facilities

STREAM 2: LIFE EXTENSION AND ASSET MANAGEMENT - RUNNING AND EXISTING POWER PLANTS

10:50

INSIGHT INTO THE MANAGEMENT OF HIGH END AND CRITICAL COMPONENTSStephen Shackleford, Business Leader - Asset Care, National Nuclear Laboratory
• An introduction to plant assessment management
• Explore methods for coping and avoiding corrosion
• Gain insight into the latest available infrastructure

NEW NUCLEAR BUILD- THE REGULATORS’ NEW APPROACH
Alan McGoff, Lead New Nuclear Build, Environment Agency
• Gain insight into how the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency are working together using a new regulatory approach for new nuclear build
• Hear the latest developments and progress on the assessments of new reactors
• Understand how the experiences gained and the lessons learned are being applied for new reactor design assessments and for proposed developments

14:00

SUSTAINABLE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY FOR CONSUMERS AROUND THE WORLD
A Representative, URENCO United Kingdom
• Gain insight into the compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements of UUK activities and members of the UUK
• Using centrifuge technology to provide the uranium enrichment services our customers need to generate low carbon nuclear energy

14:30

INFLUENCE OF TIME SCHEDULE DEPENDENCE DURING TRANSITION PERIODS
• Understand the staff competencies required for transition periods in preparation of staffing during the dismantling period
• Progressive shut down of systems and new systems needed for a dismantling period
• How to define the final state of TP/initial status of dismantling period (concept of cold and dark)

15:00 NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK

15:30

YOUNG MEMBERS COMPETITION- SKILLS AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS EXHIBITION HALL
This is a unique opportunity for the next generation of nuclear engineers to present their latest projects to the Nuclear Power Committee at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Those presenting the latest innovations in research and development will be awarded with a prize. Whilst judging takes place young engineers will be able to ask an expert panel about the career opportunities within the Nuclear sector.

17:00 END OF CONFERENCE DAY TWO

Day 3

09:00 - Conference Day Three

09:00

REGISTRATION AND REFRESHMENTS

09:45

CHAIR'S OPENING ADDRESS

10:00
PLENARY KEYNOTE: CROSS-PARTY APPROACH TO NUCLEAR ENERGY
• How nuclear energy has historically been approached by UK Governments
• Understand current Government policy regarding nuclear developments
• Discover what the future holds for nuclear as part of the Energy Mix

10:50
I-GRAPHITE MANAGEMENT: AN OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNICAL SITUATIONGerard Laurent, Decommissioning Expert, EDF
• Exploring the issues in France, UK, Spain, Russia, past project EC ‘carbo waste’ and new IAEA task force for a ‘joint IDN/IMM management graphite from decommissioning
• Developing an industrial strategy approach to have an integral and (life cycle of the i-graphite waste)
• Understand the immediate actions and cooperative area of concern

11:20
REMOVAL OF THE BERKELEY BOILERS FOR TREATMENT
• Insight into the first commercial power station in the UK to seal up its reactor and creating a major decommissioning milestone
• Understand how removing 99% of radioactivity from site was achieved
• Explore the removal of top and bottom gas ducts, sealing of reactor vessel inlets and outlet ducts, removal of the boilers and removal of the gas circulators and motors

11:50
LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE AT EVAPORATOR DELTA LIFT OF A 500TE MODULEShaun Kelso, Head of Operations Strategy, Sellafield Ltd
• Understand the investigation into failings in the specification, procurement and fabrication of fastenings
• Explore the shortfalls in fundamental quality controls, links in the supply chain and human error
• Discover the independent testing of the fastenings which revealed materials that were of an inferior standard to that detailed in the accompanying certification

12:40 NETWORKING LUNCH

13:40
PANEL DISCUSSION: WHAT LESSONS CAN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY LEARN FROM OTHER HIGH HAZARD INDUSTRIES
• Hear from experts from the aerospace and oil and gas industries
• How do they train staff to cope when technology has failed
• Insight into the technology that is designed and used to minimise failures and the impact of failures

14:10
DEFUELING THE CONSORT REACTORHeather Phillips, Deputy Head of Reactor Centre and Decommissioning Manager, Imperial College Reactor Centre
• Removing fuel from the 30 year old CONSORT Reactor by developing a new set of defueling equipment
• Understanding the process undertaken to consign to an NDA site for final disposal
• Working closely with a range of industry stakeholders and regulators to get all the equipment, safety and security requirements in place before the defueling, transport and receipt of fuel by the NDA sitecould go ahead

14:40 NETWORKING REFRESHMENT BREAK

15:00
DECOMMISSIONING EDUCATION FOR THE NUCLEAR WORKFORCEDr John Roberts, Nuclear Fellow, The University of Manchester
• Gain insight into the latest decommissioning technologies and how they can impact the Nuclear Workforce
• Learn best practice methods for decommissioning management
• Part-time or full-time Education for CPD, PG Cert or Diploma and MSc

GRAEME CAMPBELL: ARCHITECT ENGINEER, EDF ENERGY

Graeme Campbell has worked as a mechanical engineer for EDF Energy for the past twelve years (formerly British Energy and Scottish Nuclear). During his time with EDF Energy he has performed a large number of different central technical roles within investment projects. These include being a Designer, Safety Case Author/Verifier, Technical Lead, Work Pack Manager and latterly as an Architect Engineer.

SHAUN KELSO: HEAD OF OPERATIONS STRATEGY, SELLAFIELD

Shaun Kelso is currently developing a strategy which will guide the activities of a complex and diverse nuclear portfolio comprising over 6500 personnel and almost £1 billion annual expenditure engaged in commercial operations, waste treatment, processing and product storage.

Alex Anderson is a chemist by profession and has worked in the nuclear industry for almost 37 years. Joined Dounreay in 1978 working as an analytical chemist. Moved into laboratory management in early 1980s and then transferred into the Operating Plants as a Shift Manager in 1989 where he ran the main fuel reprocessing plants, support plus waste treatment and storage facilities. In mid nineties he moved into Nuclear Material Accountancy and Safeguards acting as the Site's Nuclear Material Controller, building up a good working relationship with the national and international safeguards regulators/stakeholders. In 2006 he took over the management of the Chemical Services department and then in 2008 joined the Dounreay Waste Department as Unit Manager responsible for management of radioactive waste at the Dounreay Site and all transport related operations. In 2012 he became the Deputy Director for Waste Projects at Dounreay, a role he continues to enjoy to the present day.

CHRISTIAN LUNDQVIST: Project Manager, Ringhals AB Vattenfall

Darrell Morris began his career at Johnson Matthey developing three-way catalysts for gasoline vehicles. In 2007 he moved to the nuclear industry working for the National Nuclear Laboratory and subsequently the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). He managed NDA’s directly funded R&D programme before moving into technical assurance. He currently represents NDA on the Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning Research Forum, a cross-industry group looking to foster greater collaboration on nuclear decommissioning R&D in the UK. During his career, Darrell has worked on a wide variety of R&D projects, covering nuclear materials, spent fuels, radioactive waste management and site restoration.

John Hanlon is one of the leading experts on Infrastructure within the Ministry of Defence. He enjoys the challenge of managing 80+ engineers and is responsible for ensuring that the design element of the Clyde nuclear infrastructure is ‘fit for purpose’ and facilitates safe conduct of engineering activities on Nuclear Submarines. John is an optimist having booked quarter final tickets to watch Scotland in the Rugby World Cup 2015.

SIMON WATSON: Lecturer in Robotics Systems, University of Manchester

REBECCA WESTON: Head of Business and Programme Integration Decommissioning Division, Sellafield Ltd

Rebecca Weston has held a number of senior positions at Sellafield in Operations, Technical and Commercial, across a range of nuclear operations and waste management activities, but has particular expertise in Special Nuclear Material and the back end of the fuel cycle. She is currently a senior leader in the Decommissioning Division at Sellafield, with responsibility for provision of functional support across all areas of the Division, including integration and programme management activities.
Rebecca has recently added an Executive MBA to her professional and technical qualifications. PhD qualified, she is a Chartered Physicist and Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, as well as a Trustee of the Nuclear Institute.

Dr Mina Golshan works as a Superintending Inspector at the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). She is currently leading the delivery of regulation for the Magnox fleet and the restoration site at Dounreay. In 2012, she established ONR’s Strategy and Oversight function which provides independent assurance on safety and security and on ONR’s effectiveness to the ONR Board. Dr Golshan has a wide regulatory experience especially across the fuel cycle and waste facilities. She has represented ONR in numerous international fora including the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) senior task group on regulatory effectiveness and at the Convention on Nuclear safety in Vienna. She is an ONR lead in Fault Analysis and represents the UK at the IAEA Nuclear Safety Standards Committee.

Mark Nel: Business Development Manager, ARL and Sonaspection

Mark Nel is Business Development Manager for ARL & Sonaspection, both IMechE subsidiaries. Responsible for managing and building relationships with existing and new partners and customers. Mark has a 35 year career as a technician and consultant in Non-Destructive Testing. He has worked in the nuclear and other industries serving both operations and supply chain, and latterly as a consultant and trainer for a major manufacturer of advanced industrial Ultrasonic testing systems.

Steven Ayre: Mechanical Engineer, Ministry of Defence

Steven Ayre is a Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the provision of designs for high integrity infrastructure. He is responsible for maintaining the design intent for the critical infrastructure that supports submarine engineering activities. Steven enjoys golf and cycling, but not at the same time.

Ian Darling: Principal Asset Engineer, AWE plc

Ian Darling is a Combined Engineer with over 25 years experience in a wide variety of industries from ozone generation to gas distribution. He has spent the last 10 years working at the Atomic Weapons Establishment and currently looks after plant Integrity.

James Wenham is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and is currently the Programme Manager for the Heysham 1 and Hartlepool Power Stations Boiler Spine Recovery Programme . Since graduating from the University of Bristol in 1998 James has worked in a variety of roles within EDF Energy (and predecessor companies) including work on steam and gas turbines, rotor and structural dynamics, outage support and the delivery of numerous projects. James has a passion for the electricity supply industry and in particular the role nuclear generation plays in our current and future energy mix and he is proud to be integral in safely delivering the operation life and output from the Heysham 1 and Hartlepol reactors through his current role.

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